§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines his Department gives in respect of the construction standards for sheltered housing; and what funding his Department provides for the refurbishment of sheltered housing. [19218]
§ Mr. ClappisonMy Department issues no guidelines in respect of the construction standards for sheltered housing. Guidelines for provision for elderly people are however included in the scheme development standards which the Housing Corporation requires as a condition of social housing grant. For local authorities, funds for the refurbishment of sheltered housing are included within their annual capital guideline but the proportion spent on these works cannot be separately identified. Housing Associations are primarily responsible for meeting the costs of refurbishment of their sheltered housing, however, in 1995–96, £7.4 million was allocated by the Housing Corporation for the re-improvement of properties of this type.